What's the BEST SSD Upgrade for iMac 27" and how do we do it?

[sanjuvarma]

Intel X25-M G2 for under $500

For those who are interested, the Intel X25-M G2 - 160GB (SSDSA2MH160G2C1) for under $500.00
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch_v3.asp?scriteria=BA32078
Coupon Code: HARVEST09 to save another $10.00

 

[motegi]

Intels have problems with 10.6.2

Proof? Sweeping statements like this reek of fanboyism.

 

[Cockroach]

@Cockroach
You could even do a software RAID 0 of the 2 Intel G2...that would be very MacPro-ish Together with 16gb of RAM and quadcore/8-thread cpu....juicy...

Yep, that's my intention. I've got 4GB of Crucial RAM waiting to be installed, so I'll only be going up to 8GB.

When using Intel G2 in RAID 0, what block size should I choose? I was probably going to test 32 and 128, and if 128 is faster, try 256. I heard with SSDs a small stipe size can slow it down.

 

[Transporteur]

What do you guys think of 2 Intel X-25M (80G each) in an RAID 0 enclosure and fitted in to the HDD space for an iMac 27"? Will this be a performance boost instead of 1x 160GB Intel X25? I don't care of losing storage space!!

There is no internal Raid0 enclosure to fit 2 2.5" HDs in one 3.5" slot.
The Intel SSDs are pretty much on the limit of what SATA2 can handle (270MB/s). That said, running two Intels from only one SATA port won't make any difference.

If you want to make a Raid0, you have to use the ODD and the HDD connector.
Raid0 can be set up with disk utility. You don't need any hardware for that.

 

[sanjuvarma]

Guys, after much deliberation, I bought the Intel X25-M G2 160GB for my iMac 27". I will be installing it this weekend.

 

[mscriv]

Cool. Keep us posted and don't forget the pics.

 

[sanjuvarma]

I would get OCZ. Intels have problems with 10.6.2 and are slower because of slower write speed and random read/write. Colossus would be better because it's very fast and you don't need an adapter because it's 3.5". I couldn't find them though so I don't know what their prices are

What problem does the Intel X25-G2 have with 10.6.2? I have the iMac 27" and all the SATA controllers are 3Gb/s - VERIFIED!!

 

[Hellhammer]

What problem does the Intel X25-G2 have with 10.6.2? I have the iMac 27" and all the SATA controllers are 3Gb/s - VERIFIED!!

I am not sure about it. I just saw a thread about Intels having problems with 10.6.2 in Mac Pros but it might be just with RAIDs

 

[sanjuvarma]

Newegg has the Intel X25-M Mainstream G2 2.5" 160GB SATA Solid State Drive for $590 - $175 via promo code "BFPEEKSSD160" = $415 with free shipping.

 

[kenshin21]

Just got the i5 and wanted to replace the superdrive with the intel ssd. Can somebody tell me where to get the brackets to mount the ssd in there? Or steps on how to remove the superdrive? thanks.

 

[macchiato2009]

why opening a new thread

there is already one

plus, numerous polls concerning SSDs in the Macbook/Pro section

 

[MrMugen]

Get ready for stupid questions

So Im reading this thread trying to figure out wtf you ppl are talking about.

Here is how I understand it. SSD are madgangsterish cards that are vastly superior to standard HD speed wise but not space wise. Here is my question. If you keep your standard drive and install a SSD in the superdrive slot would you use the SSD to run applications and store your **** on you HD. So like if your doing HD editing and you run FCP off the SDD and access media via you standard drive is there any issue? Am i even in the same realm of what yall are talking about? If youd like to explain it to me use little words.

CAUSE KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!!

Mugen

 

[CoolHotCold]

So Im reading this thread trying to figure out wtf you ppl are talking about.

Here is how I understand it. SSD are madgangsterish cards that are vastly superior to standard HD speed wise but not space wise. Here is my question. If you keep your standard drive and install a SSD in the superdrive slot would you use the SSD to run applications and store your **** on you HD. So like if your doing HD editing and you run FCP off the SDD and access media via you standard drive is there any issue? Am i even in the same realm of what yall are talking about? If youd like to explain it to me use little words.

CAUSE KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!!

Mugen

There is no reason to not have a larger SSD drive (capacity wise) the reason why you don't see more/any mainstream is becasue the price per GB is far too high for people to afford.

And yes There is a superdrive (a 12.7mm slimline SATA to normal SATA) adapter that replaces the superdrive and has mounting holes for a 2.5" SATA drive. You install OSx to that and applications and use the 1TB/2TB drive as your main Media drive.

This is what I'll be doing once i receive shipment of my i7.

 

[hogo]

There is no reason to not have a larger SSD drive (capacity wise) the reason why you don't see more/any mainstream is becasue the price per GB is far too high for people to afford.

And yes There is a superdrive (a 12.7mm slimline SATA to normal SATA) adapter that replaces the superdrive and has mounting holes for a 2.5" SATA drive. You install OSx to that and applications and use the 1TB/2TB drive as your main Media drive.

This is what I'll be doing once i receive shipment of my i7.

me too. Too bad i've been waiting for over 3 weeks with no shipment date in sight for my i7. Anyways, anyone tried the dvd -ssd adapter bay from ifixit? I was told it would work in the new iMac.

 

[Whiteyez]

And yes There is a superdrive (a 12.7mm slimline SATA to normal SATA) adapter that replaces the superdrive and has mounting holes for a 2.5" SATA drive. You install OSx to that and applications and use the 1TB/2TB drive as your main Media drive.

This is what I'll be doing once i receive shipment of my i7.

Where can we find this superdrive with the mounting holes for 2.5" Sata HHD.?

 

[MrMugen]

How big a SSD drive I need

Im planning on installing a SSD into the superdrive of my Imac27. Its primary use will be running applications and OS so no bandwith will be used up on my standard drive. How big should I get? I clicked get info on my applications folder of my current system and it only says 8GB being used. Is that right? am I missing something? Will a 80GB do me fine?

Mugen